ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Special Service and Features
National Health Authority announces new initiatives under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana scheme
Tamil Nadu Health Minister Shri Ma Subramanian attends NHA's Southern Region Review Meeting in Mamallapuram
National Health Authority  has announced the roll out of the new initiative of patient classification systems through ICD-11  and ICHI  for Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana  scheme.
An announcement in this regard was made at the Southern Region Review Meeting in Mamallapuram. The two-day meet which concluded today saw the participation of top dignitaries from the southern States, including Tamil Nadu Health Minister Shri Ma Subramanian.
He felicitated the senior dignitaries on behalf of Government of Tamil Nadu. The review meeting was chaired by Dr R S Sharma, CEO, NHA. Addressing the event, Dr Sharma, lauded the extent of contribution made by the Southern Zone towards the successful implementation of AB PM-JAY.
NHA is implementing body for two flagship central schemes Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana  and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission . During the event NHA launched the new version of Health Benefit Package  2022 under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana  scheme. The new version has added 365 new procedures taking the total package count to 1949. With HBP 2022, differential pricing is being introduced for the first time under the scheme based upon the type of city and level of care.
Another key feature which was announced during the event is the pilot launch of Diagnosis Related Grouping  in 5 states of Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Kerala, Maharashtra and Meghalaya. AB PM-JAY will be the first insurance scheme in the India to provider payment mechanism through DRG.
Presentation on the progress of implementation of ABDM and AB PM-JAY were made by Dr Praveen Gedam, Addl. CEO, NHA and Dr. Vipul Aggarwal, Dy CEO, NHA respectively followed by presentations by senior officials of various southern states and UTs.
Various senior government officials who participated in the event include Shri G. U. Ahmed Financial Advisor NHA, Dr. J. Radhakrishnan Pr. Secretary , Tamil Nadu, Dr. P. Senthil Kumar Pr. Secretary & OSD, Health & Family Welfare Department Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Shri Anil Kumar Singhal Pr. Secretary  Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Shri S.A.M. Rizvi, Pr. Secretary  Govt. of Telangana, Dr. Ratan Kelkar CEO SHA Kerala, Shri D. Randeep Commissioner Health Govt. of Karnataka, Dr. Darez Ahmed, Mission Director  Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Shri Amit Satija Health Secretary Lakshadweep, Shri C. Udaya Kumar Secretary Health Puducherry, Shri J. Nivas, Commissioner Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Vinay Chand CEO SHA Andhra Pradesh, Dr. S. Uma Project Director/CEO SHA Tamil Nadu & Smt. V Boobalakani Deputy Resident Commissioner  Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Getting audience and funds are the two challenges before the documentary film makers: Usha Deshpande
There should be a dedicated channel for documentaries: Shri Sanskar Desai
Getting audience and funds are the two challenges before the documentary film makers and efforts are being made to overcome these problems said President, IDPA-Indian Documentary Producers Association, Ms. Usha Deshpande while talking to media at Media centre today. General Secretary, IDPA, Sanskar Desai was also present.
IDPA is endeavouring to provide exposure to documentary film-makers by organising film screenings, approaching film clubs for screening, negotiating with television channels for slots and participating in film festivals across the country. It also organises competitions, workshops, seminars, masterclasses etc said Ms Deshpande.
Talking about Open Forum which is going to be organised from 25-27 November for an hour starting at 1:30 during IFFI 2018, Deshpande said the themes will be:
- Director’s take on biopics - how much fact and how much fiction is there in it?
- Is technique over-riding content in today’s film-making and its impact.
- Cellphones are making each one of us into film-makers. Is this medium capable of graduating into way of making proper films?
IDPA is a non-profit organisation established in 1956 and is India ’s single largest association of producers of documentaries, animation films, advertisement films and TV programmes. It is also facilitating the documentary makers by providing them with regular updates, standardised rate cards and by settling disputes. IDPA, as a Trust, is part of the movement trying to take further legacy of documentary film makers. It has history of distinguished Presidents like Aruna Raje, Mike Pandey and Vijaya Mulay, informed Sanskar Desai.
It has organised film festivals and instituted awards to deserving talent . IDPA has been associated with Mumbai International Film Festival  since its inception in 1988. Currently, the membership of IDPA is open to any Indian filmmaker who makes documentaries, short commercials, corporate films and animation films. said Shri Desai.
Shri Desai told that IDPA has a slot on DD National on Saturdays at 10 am. for documentaries. Screenings are also arranged in Mumbai and at other places to promote documentary movement.” IDPA has proposed and is persuading for a dedicated channel for documentaries. It also curates packages as per the needs of the various festivals.
Backgrounder
Usha Deshpande, an alumni of screenplay writing course of FTII, is an independent producer, director and writer. Her film ‘Khayal’ on Hindustani classical music is quite popular.
Sanskar Desai, a Mumbai based filmmaker, scriptwriter, theatre person, singer and a poet, has been actively associated with Mumbai International Film Festival  & International Film Festival of India  since many years. He is General Secretary of IDPA and his film ‘Stepwells of Gujarat’ was widely received.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Union Minister for State for Jal Shakti Shri Prahlad Singh Patel visits IISC, reviews Dam Rehabilitation Implementation Program
The union minister for state for Jal Shakti Shri Prahlad Singh Patel visited IISc to understand the ‘efforts that are being undertaken for capacity building’ the area of Dam safety under the central water commission. Prof. VV Srinivas and Prof Ananth Ramaswamy from Civil Engineering and Prof Govindan Rangarajan Director IISc met with the minister to explain the developments taking place due to the ministry’s financial support to the Institute under the Dam Rehabilitation implementation program. The minister was accompanied by a team of officials led by Dr Pramod Narayan Director DRIP program in the central water and commission
Special Service and Features
Special Armed Forces Facilitation Counter
Department of Posts has proposed to provide Special Facility for Armed Force Personnel in Post offices at Major Military Stations. Accordingly in Chennai, Chennai GPO has been identified for establishing a “Special Armed Forces Facilitation Counter”, providing exclusive service of Postal Savings Bank operations. The Special counter will be functioning in Chennai GPO with effect from 28.01.2021. The availability of the dedicated counter in Chennai GPO will offer greater convenience to the Armed Force Personnel and facilitate to operate their transactions smoothly. All concerned are requested to avail the facility.
This is stated in a press release issued by Chief Post Master, Chennai GPO.
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AYUSH
MoU Signed between Ministry of Health and Ministry of AYUSH for ‘Tuberculosis Free India’ initiative
Ministry of AYUSH and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare have signed MoU today to forge inter-sectoral convergence at the level of policy, planning and programme implementation for accelerated response towards “Tuberculosis Free India” initiative. The intended collaboration between the two Ministries aims at development of linkages and integration of TB care services within the infrastructure and institutional network of AYUSH. The MoU was signed by Secretary Health and Family Welfare Smt. Preeti Sudan and Secretary AYUSH, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha in the presence of Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri Harshvardhan, MoS Health and Family Welfare Shri Ashwini Choubey and Minister of State for AYUSH and MoS Defence Shri Shripad Yesso Naik.
On this occasion Shri Shripad Naik said that Tuberculosis is not only a challenge for medical fraternity but also a serious social problems mainly hitting the populations battling with poverty, malnutrition, poor hygiene, housing and working conditions. The Minister said that AYUSH systems have potential knowledge base, qualified & trained human resources and holistic healthcare practices to help achieving the objective of TB- free India. He further said that accordingly, it is expected that multifaceted issues of the people suffering from TB can be addressed with integrated approaches, inter-sectoral convergence and meaningful involvement of AYUSH sector.
The MoU with the Central TB Division of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare outlines the scope and extent of AYUSH involvement in sensitization, awareness generation, capacity building of AYUSH institutions and health service providers in the areas of TB diagnosis, control and management. Focused activities envisaged under the MoU will cover joint planning to work with AYUSH organisations & professional bodies and promote adjuvant use of evidence- based AYUSH interventions for, TB control and management. It is also intended to facilitate research collaboration and best practices of AYUSH healthcare and build up capacities for TB-free work places and communities. Both Ministries will appoint Nodal Officers for development of implementation plan, modalities of operationalization and steering the collaboration activities outlined in the MoU.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Star Rating proposed for Tyres for better fuel saving and comfortable driving
This Ministry has notified GSR 331 dated 17th May 2021 to amend rule 95 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989, which proposes that the tyres categorised under classes C1, C2 and C3, as defined in AIS 142:2019, shall meet the requirements of rolling resistance, wet grip and rolling sound emissions, specified in Stage 2 of AIS 142:2019, as amended from time to time, till such time the corresponding BIS specifications are notified under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986. Comments and objections have been solicited from concerned stakeholders.
A higher rating for rolling resistance indicates better fuel saving while higher wet grip ratings indicate solid braking capability of the tyre; a lower noise level connotes a more comfortable drive.
These mandatory norms for rolling resistance, wet grip and rolling sound emissions proposed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will pave the way for “star rating” or “labeling” of tyres in the country.
This information was given by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
MJPS
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Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Cleaning Drive by Field Outreach Bureau with 1 Goa Battalion NCC on the occasion of World Environment Day
Goa | June 5, 2022
Field Outreach Bureau along with 1 Goa Battalion NCC and Samrat Club today conducted a massive cleaning drive at Miramar Beach to create awareness on World Environment Day. More than 150 NCC Cadets and volunteers participated in the drive. Cadets conveyed the message of a sustainable environment with the placards. Colonel MKS Rathore, Commanding Officer, 1 Goa Battalion, Shri Rohit Monseratte, Mayor, Corporation of the City of Panaji were present on this occasion.
Colonel MKS Rathore, Commanding Officer, 1 Goa Battalion NCC Panaji in his address appeals to ‘reduce waste to remove waste’.
Shri Rohit Monseratte, Mayor, CCP in his address briefed the initiatives taken by Corporation of the City of Panaji. He appeals to citizens, especially tourists, not to litter in public places. Corporation has installed dustbins in most of the places. Use of dustbins will help the corporation for daily collection and segregation of the waste. He appeals to citizens to donate old/unused clothes to prepare bags; the corporation is giving these cloth bags to the vendors in the city corporation market, he said.
Field Publicity officer Riyaz Babu welcomed the guests and cadets and outlined the initiatives by the Field Outreach Bureau.
World Environment Day 2022 is the biggest international day for the environment. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme , and held annually since 1973, it has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach. It is celebrated by millions of people across the world.
“Only One Earth" is the campaign slogan of World Environment day 2022,with the focus on “Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature”.
Finance Commission
Inquiry of Suspicious Financial Transactions and Probable Tax Evasion by DGGI, Surat Zonal Unit
A news has appeared today in a few of the Newspapers of vernacular medium, i.e. Divya Bhashkar, Gujarat Mitra, Sandesh & Gujarat Samachar to the effect that the Directorate General Of GST Intelligence, Surat Zonal Unit has been investigating cases of evasion of Service tax/GST against some of the builders by calling for the documents for the last eight years leading to their harassment. Similar news also appeared in another Newspaper- Samna Times yesterday on 29.07.2020 in Hindi as well as in Gujarati.
In this regard it is to state that the DGGI has been tasked with verifying the cases of suspicious transactions of certain Individuals, Partnerships Firms, Private Limited Companies for possible evasion of Excise Duty, Service tax or GST on the basis of the data received from the DGGI HQ., New Delhi which has been referred to them by the Financial Intelligence Unit, New Delhi. These transactions mostly pertain to the period of de-monetization & also prior to that in some cases but the inquiry is not against the builders alone but cutting across all streams of business activities. This office categorically denies harassing the builders.
This office is thankful to the entire community of Print Media including the ones mentioned above, for spreading the awareness of tax compliance under the nascent GST regime and also that the DGGI cannot investigate the cases of tax evasion beyond five years, thus helping the trade to fall prey to misadventures of a possible few officials, however it is expected that the Media must be above partisan and should not resort to spreading mis-information without ascertaining the facts.
DGGI, Surat Zonal Unit has been working relentlessly against the tax evaders of the Zone ever since the undersigned joined this office in July last year. It has been sincere efforts of this office to effectively curb the menace of tax evasion in the Zone, which not only hampers the economic growth of the country but also denies the honest tax payers a level playing field. In the last financial year tax evasion to the tune of Rs.1526.81 Crs. was detected as against the detection of Rs.551.975 Crs. the previous year and this would not have been possible without active cooperation of all the stake holders, including the Media.
Despite the sincere efforts of this office to be above board, there could still be occasions of harassment. The specific cases of complaints, if any, may kindly be brought to the notice of the undersigned through mail at adgdggi-szu[at]gov[dot]in , by phone at 0261-2291500, 2291522  or by meeting the undersigned in person.
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Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
The Government has expanded the scope of Universal Service Obligations
Authorized entities will provide quality and uninterrupted fuel supply services to the consumers
The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today informed that Universal Service Obligations  have been prescribed so that authorized entities provide quality and uninterrupted fuel supply services to the consumers. These USOs, inter alia, require:-
- maintaining supplies of MS and HSD to retail consumers throughout the specified working hours and of specified quality and quantity.
- ensuring availability of minimum facilities as specified by the Government, to all the retail consumers at the retail outlet.
- maintaining minimum inventory levels of MS and HSD as specified by the Government from time to time.
- providing service to any person on demand within a reasonable period of time and on non-discriminatory basis.
- availability of fuel to the customers at reasonable prices all the time.
In June 2022, the Government has expanded the scope of Universal Service Obligations  to all retail outlets including remote area retail outlets.
Ministry of Defence
NCC Maharashtra holds Annual Conference in Mumbai
Mumbai,19th April 2022
The Annual National Cadet Corps  Conference was held at the Headquarters of NCC Directorate Maharashtra and Mantralaya in Mumbai today. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar chaired the conference at Mantralaya.
Various core issues pertaining to NCC in Maharashtra were discussed and several landmark decisions were taken by the Deputy CM which will have a positive impact on the functioning of NCC in the state including various infrastructure projects.
Major General YP Khanduri, ADG Maharashtra Directorate, also set out the aims and objectives for the new training year and complimented the Group Commanders, Commanding Officers, Staff & NCC Cadets for their excellent performance during the training year 2021-22. The ADG also mentioned that the NCC is doing a commendable job in shaping the future of the youth and inspiring them towards Nation building.
Minister of State for Sports Aditi Tatkare, Principal Secretary Finance Shri Om Prakash and Principal Secretary School Education & Sports Shri Vikas Chandra Rastogi also attended the Conference.
The conference was held after a gap of two years in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves ex-post facto agreement on Security Cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given ex-post facto approval on an Agreement on Security Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that was signed on 29th October, 2019 during the visit of Hon'ble Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia.
The Agreement aims to improve the effectiveness of both countries in the prevention and suppression of crimes including crime relating to terrorism and its financing and organized crime and to establish a framework for enhancing cooperation between the officials of intelligence and law-enforcement agencies of the two countries, in line with national and international obligations.
Ministry of Finance
GST Council’s decisions On Rate Changes
The 38th meeting of the GST Council met under the Chairmanship of the Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman here today. The meeting was also attended by the Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs Shri Anurag Thakur besides Finance Ministers of States & UTs and senior officers of Ministry of Finance. The GSTCouncil recommended the following relating to changes in GST rates, exemptions.
- To exempt upfront amount payable for long term lease of industrial/ financial infrastructure plots by an entity having 20% or more ownership of Central or State Government. Presently, the exemption is available to an entity having 50% or more ownership of Central or State Government. This change shall become effective from 1st January, 2020.
- To levy a single rate of GST @ 28% on both State run and State authorized lottery. This change shall become effective from 1st March, 2020.
- The Council also considered the rate of GST rate on Woven and Non-Woven Bags and sacks of polyethylene or polypropylene strips or the like , whether or not laminated, of a kind used for packing of goods in view of the requests received post the changes recommended on such goods in last meeting and recommended to raise the GST to a uniform rate of 18% on all such bags falling under HS 3923/6305 including Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers . This change shall become effective from 1st January, 2020.
[This note presents the decision of the GST Council in simple language for easy understanding which would be given effect to through Gazette notifications/ circulars which shall have force of law.]
RM/KMN
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Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Features of Organic Farming
Organic farming is a sustainable agriculture system that excludes the use of synthetic inputs in farming and relies on on-farm inputs such as crop residues, farmyard manure, enriched composts, vermi-compost, oil cakes, bio-fertilizers etc for nutrient management of crops. Similarly, pests and diseases are managed by eco-friendly farming practices of crop rotation, trap crops, bio-pesticides like neem-based formulations, bio control agents, mechanical traps, stale seed bed etc. adoption of organic farming practices produces safe food, reduces cost of production, improves soil health and health in mitigating the climate change and global warming by reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers
Government of India has been promoting Organic farming in the country through dedicated schemes namely Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana  and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region  since 2015-16 to cater to the needs of domestic and export markets respectively. Both the schemes stress on end to end support to organic farmers i.e. from production to certification and marketing. Post harvest management support including processing, packing, marketing is made integral part of these schemes to encourage organic farmers including in the State of Rajasthan and Assam.
Under PKVY farmers are provided financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare/ 3 years is given, out of which Rs. 31,000  is provided directly through DBT for inputs bio fertilisers, bio-pesticides, organic manure, compost, vermi-compost, botanical extracts etc.
In Rajasthan, since 2015-16, a total of Rs 97.60 crore has been released for 6150 clusters for 1.23 lakh ha area and 3.07 lakh farmers have been benefited. An amount of total Rs 23.81 crore has been released to Assam for 220 clusters benefitting 11000 farmers for 4400 ha area taken up in 2015-16 under this scheme. As of now North Eastern Region is not part of PKVY, since a dedicated scheme, Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region , was launched. Farmers are given assistance of Rs 25000/ha/3 years for, organic inputs including organic manure and bio-fertilizers etc. for NE States including the State of Assam. In Assam, since 2015-16, a total amount of Rs 56.12 crore has been released. Total 6,926 ha area has been covered benefiting 10,165 farmers and 18 FPC has been formed against the target of 10,000 ha area and 20 Farmers Producers Company .
The demand of organic farming has increased in domestic market during last few years. According to the joint study of ASSOCHAM –EY, the domestic organic market is growing @ 17% and the projected demand of organic food market is likely to cross 87.1 crore by 2021 from the Rs. 53.3 crore in 2016. The demand in international market has also increased in last 3 years.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha today.